Moving to Maine (Portland, South Portland, Biddeford: sale, Home Depot, neighborhoods)

[pixieshmoo]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Aside from Stephen King, arguably the most successful novelist of the past 30 years.

But hey, he makes it seem all scary and creepy, so maybe he's helping to keep the riff-raff out.

That is exactly what has made me WANT to move to Maine!!! Ever since I began reading his books (around age 14), I've been fascinated with the towns he describes (even the ones that are fictional...I know they're taken from similar real cities), the quaintness of it, the creepiness to those "small town theories", etc. I planned about a trillion times to visit and first and foremost visit the towns (and areas of ficitional towns) he has mentioned to see if they fit what I picture in my head. Now that I'm married with children, that desire has turned even deeper and we are truly considering moving there permanently. I feel like it's calling me out of New Jersey...but that's a few years away, at the very least, and if you'll notice my other older posts, I have some doubts about financial stability and career success for us and our children and the next few generations, so, I'm still baffled.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by pixieshmoo

That is exactly what has made me WANT to move to Maine!!! Ever since I began reading his books (around age 14), I've been fascinated with the towns he describes (even the ones that are fictional...I know they're taken from similar real cities), the quaintness of it, the creepiness to those "small town theories", etc. I planned about a trillion times to visit and first and foremost visit the towns (and areas of ficitional towns) he has mentioned to see if they fit what I picture in my head. Now that I'm married with children, that desire has turned even deeper and we are truly considering moving there permanently.

Don't get caught in 'Salem's Lot after dark.

Originally Posted by pixieshmoo

I feel like it's calling me out of New Jersey...but that's a few years away, at the very least, and if you'll notice my other older posts, I have some doubts about financial stability and career success for us and our children and the next few generations, so, I'm still baffled.

Jersey, eh? Isn't that where the Sopranos live? Why would you want to give up that glorious mob lifestyle?

[pixieshmoo]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Don't get caught in 'Salem's Lot after dark.


Jersey, eh? Isn't that where the Sopranos live? Why would you want to give up that glorious mob lifestyle?

Gee, that's a new one Now you see why I want to leave


Wasn't Jerusalem's Lot/Salem's Lot supposed to be around near where Falmouth (or was it Yarmouth) really is located?

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by pixieshmoo

Wasn't Jerusalem's Lot/Salem's Lot supposed to be around near where Falmouth (or was it Yarmouth) really is located?

I think 'Salem's Lot is a bit further west than Yarmouth and Falmouth, because the Lot is not on the coast.

A few places in the book mention that the Lot serves as a bedroom community for folks who work in Portland, so it is within easy driving distance of Portland. Ben takes Susan on a date at one point, and I think they make the drive to Portland without too much trouble. Several of the characters in 'Salem's Lot actually live in Cumberland, so I bet it's up there somewhere by Cumberland.

I, too, love King's stuff. Reading certainly leaves me with a great affection for Maine. But hey, I love the Sopranos, too, but it sure hasn't left me with any desire to move to Jersey.

[pixieshmoo]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

I think 'Salem's Lot is a bit further west than Yarmouth and Falmouth, because the Lot is not on the coast.

A few places in the book mention that the Lot serves as a bedroom community for folks who work in Portland, so it is within easy driving distance of Portland. Ben takes Susan on a date at one point, and I think they make the drive to Portland without too much trouble. Several of the characters in 'Salem's Lot actually live in Cumberland, so I bet it's up there somewhere by Cumberland.

I, too, love King's stuff. Reading certainly leaves me with a great affection for Maine. But hey, I love the Sopranos, too, but it sure hasn't left me with any desire to move to Jersey.

You're too funny. Yes, I can see how watching the Sopranos could take the desire OUT of wanting to come to Jersey. My dad used to say he hated that show because it made us all look like derelicts here. I used to think he was nuts but he was kind of right. Good show (well, until it got corny), but bad rep for us. Jersey's not that bad of a place if you remove all the a$$holes, trash, ghettos, pollution...you get the point. Actually, the state itself has tons of beauty but people have come to ruin it. But I'd rather live in Maine and visit my family in Jersey than live here and visit Maine.

As for Salem's Lot, yes, now that you mention it and I think back I remember Cumberland being mentioned in there. Actually, off the top of my head, I don't know where Cumberland is anyway. But I could swear when I read it I saw something about them getting off at an exit near Falmouth or something. Well, I'll trust you because I refuse to read that book again. I hadn't watched the movie from beginning to end in about 26 years because I saw it when I was 4 and it scared me out of my wits....(which is weird because I love vampires but to this day, it's the only vampire movie I won't watch). A couple of years ago, I rented the book from the library (because it was one of his only books I had yet to read...because I was too scared). Well, I made it through the book, with great effort and time however, I was petrified the whole time, I would only read it during the day or if I was sitting right next to my husband. I wouldn't get out of bed at night to go to the bathroom or anything. Noises made me jump. I finally finished the book and rented the movie thinking I could now get over my fear...nope. I shut the movie off. To this day (now 28 years of not watching the entire movie again). I don't think I'll ever have the guts to read or watch it again....cannot explain why. Sorry to have babbled. Yes, I love Stephen King (my goal is to be his next door neighbor someday ) but again, I'll trust you on the location of Salem's Lot, though I'm sick enough to have explored it if it really existed...go figure.

[pixieshmoo]

Okay, it was bugging me, so I went onto Wikipedia and typed in Salem's Lot Maine. We're both sort of right. You are correct because it does take place in Cumberland County (and I do know that the town Cumberland is in that county), and it says that the book makes a passing reference to some nearby towns such as Portland, Falmouth and Westbrook. So apparently it's not those particular towns, but somewhere near. Since it was a couple of years ago and Falmouth stuck in my mind (I researched moving there), I guess that's why I thought the Lot was supposed to be Falmouth. Oops.

[stevenlear]

This is a fun topic. From my kitchen window I have a great view of the Standpipe... and from my front door I can look down over the Barrens. I drive by the King's house everyday on the way to work. There are currently 5 or 6 homes for sale within 2 blocks of their home.. the closest being two doors down. Want to make your dreams (nightmares?) come true?

[pixieshmoo]

Originally Posted by stevenlear

This is a fun topic. From my kitchen window I have a great view of the Standpipe... and from my front door I can look down over the Barrens. I drive by the King's house everyday on the way to work. There are currently 5 or 6 homes for sale within 2 blocks of their home.. the closest being two doors down. Want to make your dreams (nightmares?) come true?

I don't like you Stevenlear!!!!!!
Unfortunately, we're not ready to move just yet. We're alright with where we are for now and I'm going back to school to become certified (court reporting)...so no moves at least until that's done. But it's a tough decision making a move that far. My main concern is doing what's going to benefit my children the most. Are they going to have a better way of life up there as children and teens and of course, is living up there going to benefit them when they are ready for careers and families of their own? (And of course, the guilt of leaving all of their aunts, uncles and cousins down here....there's no one up there except one friend of ours). However, I don't want to buy a home here (too expensive). If I get stuck staying here, it won't be where I am now, I'd live more northwest from here, but Jersey is becoming overcrowded no matter where you are, so ultimately my goal is to not get stuck here (but I think Bangor may be too far for me...don't know yet). It would definitely be a "dream come true" however (I love his "sick" mind )

[freemejersey]

Originally Posted by pixieshmoo

Jersey's not that bad of a place if you remove all the a$$holes, trash, ghettos, pollution...you get the point.

Hey Pixie:

If we could do that then we'd have our own "State of Maine" and wouldn't have to move. Imagine how much open space that would leave in NJ...........

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by pixieshmoo

As for Salem's Lot, yes, now that you mention it and I think back I remember Cumberland being mentioned in there.

The Lot itself is completely fictional, but it's got to be somewhere by Cumberland. Falmouth is too far east, I think. Do a Google search. I'm sure some King fansite has mapped it out somewhere.

Originally Posted by pixieshmoo

I hadn't watched the movie from beginning to end in about 26 years because I saw it when I was 4 and it scared me out of my wits....(which is weird because I love vampires but to this day, it's the only vampire movie I won't watch).

I don't really like the movie, but only because I so love the book. The movie COMPLETELY missed the point of Barlow, didn't really get Ben Mears (the hero!), and really didn't even pay any attention to the larger theme of the book. The only things I really liked about it at all was that I thought James Mason was great as Straker, and the guy playing Matt Burke was spot on.

I tried to like the TNT remake that aired a couple of years ago. Blech. Rob Lowe actually made a good Ben Mears, and the actress who played Susan was great. But they changed too much (for no reason!) from the book that I just didn't get into it.

Originally Posted by pixieshmoo

A couple of years ago, I rented the book from the library (because it was one of his only books I had yet to read...because I was too scared). Well, I made it through the book, with great effort and time however, I was petrified the whole time, I would only read it during the day or if I was sitting right next to my husband. I wouldn't get out of bed at night to go to the bathroom or anything. Noises made me jump. I finally finished the book and rented the movie thinking I could now get over my fear...nope.

I love, love, love the book. It's probably my favorite of King's books. Not only is it a great tale well told, very scary, with a building sense of dread, but it's a very layered book. On the one hand, it is a complete homage --- and an improvement! --- upon Dracula. The first half of Dracula is a great book, but after the heroes kill Lucy, it loses all steam. The Count himself becomes more of a keystone villain than an actual menace, and the dread and horror that Stoker did so well in the first half is completely wasted in the second. King doesn't make this same mistake. He builds a villain worth fighting and doesn't spoil it. 'Salem's Lot is the greatest vampire book ever written.

On the other hand, the book is really about the death of smalltown America. Change Barlow's name to Wal-Mart and you get the message. Not only does he suck the life out of the small town, but he does it with the willing help of some of the citizens.